Big Daddy Graham, Joe Conklin return to The Colonial Theatre

Philadelphia is home to some of comedy’s most legendary figures. Bill Cosby, Joey Bishop and David Brenner all paved the way for the current generation of comedians that now finds Big Daddy Graham and Joe Conklin as comedic fixtures in the tri-state area.

Graham, who is best known for his often campy, straight forward style of comedy, and Conklin, one of the best impersonators to come along in years, have spent nearly two decades routinely setting attendance records at venues such as the Comedy Cabaret, Catch A Rising Star, The Funny Bone, Helium and the Comedy Factory Outlet.

In 2009, Graham and Conklin, while pursuing their respective career paths, teamed up to form “Two Funny Philly Guys.” With an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from old and new fans alike, the duo has been packing regional theatres.

“We’re only doing four of these a year along with some private shows,” says Graham. “There are no egos. We both do the same amount of time. We both do a full show like each of us would do if we were closing. Of course I’m funnier (laughs). Joe wouldn’t have a career if it weren’t for me (laughs). Joe will tell you that I discovered him, which I kind of did. I never get tired of seeing him do what he does.

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“What Joe does is so unique. There are other comics who do what I do and are very funny. Very few do what Joe does. There are guys that do impressions, but nowhere near the amount of famous people that Joe does. It is incredible.”

“We’ve just been stunned by the response,” added Graham. “We just can’t thank our fans enough. It’s just amazing to me that after thousands of shows neither one of us takes this for granted.”

Graham’s comedic outlets include radio and TV, music and writing. Now in his 12th year as a radio personality on WIP sports radio, he has humored audiences via WMMR, WWDB, KISS100 and WOGL. He has made guest appearances on radio shows throughout the country and TV appearances on a variety of local and regional TV programs, including “Lou Tilley’s Show” on CN8, “Daily News Live,” “The Angelo Cataldi Show” and “The Wally Kennedy Show.” Nationally, he has appeared on MTV, Showtime and A&E.

“Even though I’ve performed more than 5,000 shows in my career,” says Graham, “the hours before I go on stage are horrible. There is this feeling of dreg that comes over you. It’s the one form of entertainment where you are on the spot. For some reason it’s OK to heckle comics. If you don’t like what the comic is doing it’s like, ‘let’s become part of the show.’

“Sometimes it makes a show better. Sometimes it’s a nightmare. You never know. If you’re not going over with a crowd when you’re doing comedy, it’s a whole different story. You start sweating like an altar boy. Thankfully, for me, I’ve had very few of those moments.”

Graham’s career began in 1984 when WMMR latched on to his satirical song “Nuns!” A string of comical songs followed, including “Walk On The Mild Side,” “Let’s Call In Sick,” “Love Theme From the Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Wake Up I’m Horny!” “Action News Theme” and “Senile Casino.” Many of Graham’s songs have been heard on “The Dr. Demento Show,” NPR’s “Comedy College,” “The Dick Cavett Comedy Hour” and WXPN’s “Kids Korner.”

A successful author, Graham penned a critically acclaimed book about his dad entitled “Last Call,” which spawned a one-man stage show of the same title. He has co-authored “The Great Book of Philadelphia Sports Lists” with Philadelphia sports journalist Glen Macnow. That book has sold more than 40,000 copies and a TV show is now in the works.

“Who in their right mind would ever be a comedian?” asks Graham. “You have to have a certain level of intelligence, but you have to be incredibly immature and stupid to begin with (laughs). I’ve done almost everything there is to do in show business. I’ve opened up for 15 acts in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, B.B. King, Gladys Knight.

“I think I’m pretty funny,” added Graham. “Apparently people think I’m funny, too. If I wasn’t funny I think they would have stopped hiring me a long time ago. I’m proud of my career. It’s been a lot of fun.”

“Two Funny Philly Guys,” featuring Big Daddy Graham and Joe Conklin, comes to the Colonial Theatre, located at 227 Bridge Street Phoenixville, PA 19460, Saturday March 9, 2013 at 8:00 P.M. Tickets are $25 and $30 and are available at the Colonial Theatre Box Office by calling 610-917-1228 or online at www.ticketturtle.com. All ages are welcome at the Colonial. To stay up to date on all future shows go to www.thecolonialtheatre.com.